Skip to content

Bristol in pictures: Fireworks and chilly swimmers

Mark Dotchin Multi-coloured fireworks light up the skies at Downend at the event organised by the local Round Table. Rockets are exploding in the sky as a large crowd watches from belowMark Dotchin
Some 10,000 people watched Downend Round Table's fireworks display on Friday night

Fireworks lit up the skies over the city this week, but while many were warmed by 5 November bonfires, some opted for conversations over chilly river dips.

Bristol City fans were also treated to some pyrotechnics, and Rovers fans took a stand against racism.

Hundreds of people gathered in Bristol Cathedral for a unique concert, while a certain Olympic gold medallist was also in town.

All this and more is included in our weekly image round-up.

Ben Birchall/PA Wire A group of men standing in cold river water, with one man holding his arms outstretched, smiling at a dog stood on nearby steps.Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Chill out: Cold water swimming has many devotees in Bristol, with people swimming in places like Henleaze Lake or the River Avon itself. This all-male group took a dip at Conham on Sunday. They are part of a growing community of men embracing cold water therapy and new conversation.

Getty Images Players from Australia and Bristol contest a lineout during a match at Ashton Gate. An Australian player is about to catch the ball as he is being lifted by his team-mates.Getty Images

International visitors: Australia sent a side to take on Bristol at Ashton Gate on Friday night. An even contest finished 10-10 after a late try for the Aussies. The match took place 115 years after the first touring Australian team played a combined Bristol and Clifton team

Plaster Communications Sir Mo Farah smiles as he chats to another guest during an event at The Mount Without in Bristol. He is wearing a black bow tie and dinner jacket and his face is partially illuminated by two candlesPlaster Communications

Honoured guest: Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah was in Bristol on Thursday night, a guest of refugee and migrant integration charity ACH. The organisation hosted its welcome party at The Mount Without, where Sir Mo was interviewed by host MoYah.

Mark Dotchin Red and green fireworks explode over a large crowd at night, at the Downend Round Table Fireworks Display near Bristol. Rockets are sending multiple spark showers into the skyMark Dotchin

Eyes to the skies: "A real community event" is how organisers describe Friday night's fireworks in Downend. More than 100 volunteers from the local Round Table pitched in to make it happen, along with support from the Scots, Guides, Cadets and local dance groups. Skyburst and Party Peeps put together two main shows on the night at an event sponsored by local estate agent CJ Hole.

Getty Images Two banners are seen hung over a barrier at the Memorial Stadium during Bristol Rovers' match with Lincoln City. One says "Gasheads against racism" and another says "one club, many cultures, stand strong against racism". Both banners are blue with the text in white.Getty Images

Taking a stand: Bristol Rovers fans made their feelings clear during the match with Lincoln City on Saturday. The messages were displayed as part of a united club response to recent incidents where Rovers players suffered racist abuse.

PA Media People sitting in Ashton Gate Stadium whilst red fireworks are let off from the pitchPA Media

Fired up: Fans were treated to some pyrotechnics before Bristol City played Sheffield United at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night. Sadly for the home fans, the visitors took all three points thanks to two late goals.

Steve Mellen/BBC People watch a musical display under the Luke Jerram artwork Gaia inside Bristol Cathedral. The internal columns of the cathedral are illuminated by blue light and Gaia, a to-scale model of the earth, is illuminatedSteve Mellen/BBC

Light show: Hundreds of people gathered for a special concert involving local musicians at Bristol Cathedral on Friday night. It was part of the 'Up Late' events, held in conjunction with the display of Luke Jerram artwork Gaia.

Four BBC Radio Bristol staff members in a swimming pool with Pudsey standing at the side of the pool waving at the camera with both hands

Thursday was the culmination of BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Somerset's Thousand Mile challenge swim for BBC Children In Need.

Pudsey was also on hand to cheer on the fundraising swimmers.

Shaun Hennessy A group of people gather on the edges of a green near houses to watch a bonfire made using wood and old palletsShaun Hennessy

Fire it up: Many bonfires were lit across the city on Tuesday, including this one in Victoria Park. The annual event happens thanks to willing volunteers from the Victoria Park Action Group, who spent the afternoon constructing the fire before it went up in smoke.

Plaster Communications Three people, a man and two women, smile at the camera as they sit on the sofa. They are all representatives of Bristol Business Improvement Districts, known as BIDS. The man is in the centre of the picturePlaster Communications

Ambitious plans: Directors of the city's business improvement districts (BIDs) gathered this week to discuss proposals to spend £17m over five years to drive growth in the city centre. A new 'Bristol BID' would combine the current city centre, Redcliffe & Temple and Broadmead business improvement districts.

A man wearing a dark coat with Neurodiversity Coach on the back standing behind an all-female team on a well-lit pitch

Dings Crusaders RFC, in Lockleaze, have become the first in England to take on a neurodiversity coach to improve players' wellbeing. Research carried out by the club found that 35% of its players identify as or are diagnosed as being neurodivergent.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More Bristol galleries